The civic movement in Tirana, which is keeping alive a long and sustained cycle of mass protests in the capital, has taken a new step by internationalizing its action.
The protest coordination group has addressed an official letter to the ambassadors and heads of missions of Western countries accredited to the Republic of Albania, presenting five essential demands to the government.
At the top of the list of demands is the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the current government, which activists consider an essential and non-negotiable step towards the democratic renewal of the country.
This request is immediately followed by the second, which emphasizes the need for the creation of a technocratic and non-partisan transitional government, which would have a twelve-month mandate with the sole purpose of overseeing a credible and impartial reform process.
The third point focuses on a comprehensive constitutional reform, based on the principle of full equality of all citizens before the law and which is expected to be approved through a popular referendum.
As explained in the document, this reform must necessarily include reforming the Electoral Code and the legislation regulating the financing of political parties or civil society organizations.
Also, a highly debated point is highlighted: the imposition of term limits for the position of Prime Minister, limiting each individual to no more than two terms (full or partial) throughout their political career.
As a fourth request, the coordinating group calls for immediate legislative corrections.
According to them, it is necessary to repeal the changes made to the Law on Protected Areas and the Law on Cultural Heritage.
Along with them, the complete cancellation of the legal package known as the “Mountains Package” is required, as well as the repeal of the legal framework that currently regulates Strategic Investments.
The fifth and final demand summarizes the protesters’ vision for drafting a new social contract between citizens and the state.
This contract is required to take shape through broad consultations with independent intellectuals, technical experts and non-partisan representatives of civil society, always in accordance with the movement’s proposals.
The letter, which marks an important development in this marathon resistance, bears the signatures of 13 representatives of the coordination group, specifically: Entela Koja, Arben Kola, Megan Balaj, Edviol Kulluri, Luçjana Kokaj, Gentjan Progni, Gjon Ndoj, Etleva Merko, Everest Bardhi, Përparim Gjeka, Mevlan Mata, Ilir Xhemalaj and Marjen Rama.